Petcher Seeds was founded in 2011 by Richard Petcher, retired agronomist from Auburn University. In 2014 Steven Petcher, DVM, joined the seed business with his added expertise.

We are pioneering together to help farmers create their own fertilizer and produce the most nutritious livestock forage. Our methods reduce the need for fertilizer, herbicides, nematicides and irrigation, ultimately saving your income. Working together, through research and with you, we aim to offer our the best seed to growers at a reasonable price. All of us together feeding America.

Reclaiming Land with Sunn Hemp

Dick Higbee, former president of Alabama Pecan Grower’s Association, planted 10-acres of Sunn Hemp on extremely poor land that would not even grow a soybean. The following year, both corn and soybean were planted in this field, and both performed well. While prior to Sunn Hemp planting, the soil had become useless. Planting the Sunn Hemp changed the soil from the worst to the most productive.

Sunn Hemp’s claim to fame is that in 60 days from planting it typically is 6 feet tall and produces 120 pounds of Nitrogen (N), brings up from the subsoil 20 pounds of Phosphorus, 80 pounds of Potash, and produces four tons of organic matter. It greatly suppresses root-knot and reiniform nematodes and weeds.

The Sodbuster Radish is also an excellent soil builder. The tuber averages 10 - 20 inches long and 2 - 3 inches in diameter. The taproot can penetrate as deep as six feet, alleviating compaction. It is excellent for scavenging residual plant nutrients, especially Nitrogen. It typically releases 80 lbs of Nitrogen to the next crop and suppresses nematodes and weeds. It provides five tons of organic matter to the soil.

Sunn Hemp and Weed Control

Sunn Hemp smothers out 99.9 percent of all weeds and is allelopathic to Palmer Amaranth. Any time you do not have a crop on your soil, fill those gaps with Sunn Hemp or Sodbuster Radish. Sunn Hemp in the summer followed by Sodbuster in the winter will totally rebuild your soil and dynamically improve your next crop as well as greatly suppressing weeds. Sunn Hemp may be planted up until Sept 1 in Southern areas.

After corn harvest, in late August through mid-October, plant the Sodbuster Radish. The Sodbuster is also excellent at suppressing weeds and is an excellent soil builder. The plants emerge quickly and within 30 days have a total leaf canopy that greatly suppresses weed competition. The tuber averages 10 - 20 inches long and 2 - 3 inches in diameter. The taproot can penetrate as deep as six feet, alleviating compaction. It is excellent for scavenging residual plant nutrients, especially Nitrogen. It typically releases 80 lbs of Nitrogen to the next crop. It also suppresses nematodes and typically suppresses 99.9 percent of all weeds. It provides five tons of organic matter to the soil.

Sunn Hemp is Perfect for your Garden

Mallory, daughter of Garry and Teresa McNeil of Fruitdale. This photo was taken during a three-week drought. When most vegetables were doing poorly, however, this garden still produced squash, tomatoes, and other vegetables.

Make the worst garden the best with Sunn Hemp and Sodbuster Radish. Anytime you do not have a crop on your soil, fill those gaps with Sunn Hemp or Sodbuster Radish. Sunn Hemp in the Summer followed by Sodbuster in the Winter will totally rebuild your soil and dynamically improve your next garden.

Petcher Seeds is at the forefront of Sunn Hemp and cover crops.
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About Petcher Seeds

Petcher Seeds was founded by former Auburn University agronomist Richard Petcher in 2011. Our goal has always been to provide the best seeds for growing cover crops and farmer's own fertilizer, and doing so at a reasonable price. We're pioneering the future of farming, and feeding America, together.